If you want beautiful and healthy hair, there’s no need to head for the most expensive products on the drug store shelves. They may promise the earth, but they usually don’t contain any secret, magic ingredients.
Instead, mix one or more of these all-natural extras into your regular shampoo and you’ll see all the benefits for a fraction of the cost.
Rose Water
Rose water soothes dry and itchy scalps to reduce dandruff, while also adding extra shine and body by promoting stronger growth. And as a side benefit, rose water’s light perfume leaves your hair smelling fresh and clean throughout the day.
Lavender
Lavender treats dry and flaky scalps to conquer dandruff, while also stimulating hair follicles for faster, stronger, and thicker growth. An essential oil is the best way of adding lavender to your shampoo, but use only a drop or two: it’s stronger than you might think.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice helps to remove excess greasiness, which also reduces the buildup of grime and bacteria. In turn, this lessens scalp irritation and promotes stronger hair growth. Use either a squeeze from a slice of fresh lemon or a squirt from a bottle, but remember that bottled lemon juice is usually more concentrated than fresh.
Sugar
Sugar acts as a gentle exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and other debris when it’s massaged into your scalp with the shampoo. For the best results, use a coarse-grained, unrefined sugar rather than fine, processed white.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar made from apple cider detangles, and cleanses all at once for a quick boost in manageability. A single teaspoon or even less is enough to see the benefits. If you use any more, the excess acid can irritate your scalp.
Honey
Honey adds shine by immediately moisturizing and nourishing, while also slowing down the evaporation of natural oils. And thanks to its mild antibacterial effects, honey keeps your scalp healthy for stronger growth and less flaking. Use a mild, organic, runny honey for the easiest absorption and most powerful results.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera strengthens individual hair strands to protect against damage such as split ends, as well as strengthening follicles to slow down loss. Aloe vera also soothes inflamed and itchy scalps, and moisturizes hair to add body and bounce.
Aloe vera gel is easy to buy, but for the ultimate treatment, buy a living aloe cactus to grow in your bathroom. It’ll love the heat and humidity, and you’ll always have fresh gel on hand.
Amla Oil
Amla reduces hair loss to help maintain body, adds strength for bounce and fewer split ends, and also cleanses the scalp to reduce greasiness. Amla is best used as an essential oil, but just as with lavender oil, only use a drop or two or your hair may turn brittle.
Olive Oil
Olive oil moisturizes, nourishes, and strengthens your hair and follicles for non-greasy, non-frizzy, shiny hair. It also works to seal helpful moisture in and keep damaging pollutants out. Use the best non-processed, extra virgin oil you can get hold of – you’re only using a teaspoon at a time, so don’t skimp too much on price.
Natural Yogurt
The proteins in natural yogurt add body and release tangled strands, while the probiotics help to ward off fungal scalp infections. Always use a thick, Greek-style live yogurt to make sure the helpful biotics can do their work.
Beautiful hair doesn’t need to come from an expensive bottle. Whichever problem is stopping your hair from looking its best, one or more of these natural additions could be the solution you’re looking for.